, 1887-12-08
FINANCES.

FINANCES.
L submit herewith the reports of
the territorial auditor and territorial
treasurer, which together exhibit the
financial condition of the territory at
the present time. 1t will be seen by
the report of the auditor that the ter
ritory is in debt for the first time in
ten years, and that the indebtedness
Is greater than at any previous time
in it's history. At the close of the
last biennial period there was a cash
surplus IN the treasury of over $780,
OOO, and at the close of the period
ander consideration there is a defci-
ency of $4,000. The estimates for
the next biennial period for all items
including liquidation of the present
Indebtedness is S345,OOO. The esti-
mates made by other officers, how
ever for tho particular institutions
under their charge exceed the esti-
mates made by the auditor for the
same purposes by an aggregate of
$4,000, which added to the total es-
mate of the auditor makes a grand
total of $415,000. The estimates
should all be closely scrutinized, but
should not be scaled to point affect
ing their usefulness. This enlight-
ened people will expect you to exer-
else such prudence only as man of
Judgment would use in his own
affairs, which is to practice that de-
gree of true economy in expenditures,
which while strictly avoiding ex-
travagance, will keep every branch
of the public service up to the high
est degree of efficiency. The debt is
insignificant compared with our pres
ent wealth and population, and it
would be better to let it stand than
to stint the public institutions in the
interest OF its Immediate payment.
1t must be borne in mind in cons
slderibg the present indebtedness
that We have two very fine public
buildings, the hospital for the insane
and the Walla Walla penitentiary,
both of which were urgently needed,
Ia place of the cash. It must also be
borne in mind in considering the
means of replenishing the treasury
that the cost of these buildings is
greater than the surplus of two years
ago and the present Indebtedness
combined.
In order to adjust our income to
meet the ends required, it will be
necessary to make changes in the
revenue laws, and l earnestly COM
mend your honorable body carefully
to consider the valuable suggestions
of the auditor in that regard.
PENITENTIARY.
The reports of the peuitentiary
building commissioners and the
superintendent of that institution
will exhibit the matters of which
they treat. Detailed statements are
furnished in regard to the cost of the
new buildings at Walla and estimates
for further improvements are sub
mitted.
Laws creating officers for the in
stitution and rules for its govern.
ment will have to be formulated al
this session, as at present they only
exist by virtue of an executive order
under color of law.
The prison has been supported
from the date of its occupancy by
private enterprise, and while l do moi
think the precedent a good one tc
follow, 1t appears in this instance tC
have resulted in saving to the treas
ury. The number of convicts in the
Seatco prison at the date of the re-
moyal to Walla Walla was SO, anc
the number in CONTINENT at the enc
of the fiscal year was 103. The cos
per diem per capita for maintaining
these according to the report of the
superintendent is much less than tht
, price allowed the contractors at tn,
old prison send you herewith tn,
reports of the officers alluded to.
CoDIFICArIoN OF THE LAWS.
The laws OF this territory, owing t,
careless legislation and decisions Of tn
courts, are in such a state of confusion
, that i i very difficult even for expert
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much less can citizen exactly determine
the rules that govern his conduct, or tn